HBA-EDN H.B. 3578 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3578
By: Villarreal, Mike
Economic Development
7/18/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

With continuing evidence that quality child care programs lead to academic
success, reduced delinquency and crime, better job opportunities, and
increased productivity, the importance of providing these services
increases.  The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is responsible for
allocating funds for child-care subsidies.  According to federal law, at
least 4% of the funds that the state receives through the child care and
development block grant must be used to enhance child-care quality.  House
Bill 3578 requires TWC to ensure that, to the extent federal child care
development funds dedicated to quality improvement activities are used to
improve quality and availability of child care, those funds are used only
for quality child care programs.        

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3578 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Workforce
Commission to ensure that, to the extent federal child care development
funds dedicated to quality improvement activities are used to improve
quality and availability of child care, those funds are used only for
quality child care programs. The bill establishes the components of a
quality child care program. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.